UCC ranked second in the world in global environmental ranking
- UCC ranked second most sustainable university in the world and first for energy and climate action.
- UCC maintains nine-year run in the global Top 10 of the UI GreenMetric Ranking.
University College Cork (UCC) is today ranked the second most sustainable university in the world, according to an assessment of 1,500 universities from almost 100 different countries around the world
UI Greenmetric World University Ranking, which was announced today at a leading sustainability conference in Taiwan, has placed UCC up two places to second place overall for the advancement of sustainability, and, within that, first in the world for energy and climate action.
The UI GreenMetric World University Ranking was established in 2010 and examines universities around the world and their work towards reducing their carbon footprint, embedding sustainability in student learning and helping combat climate change. UCC has consistently been Ireland's leading university for sustainability under this annual assessment since inception and has been inside the Top 10 in the world for the past nine years in a row.
The educational, research and operational activities of institutions across the world are assessed, and the results positively reflect UCC’s whole-of-university approach to the advancement of sustainability. It brings to a close a landmark week for Sustainability at UCC, which saw the official launch of UCC’s Sustainability Institute and UCC hosting the National SDG Stakeholder Forum.
"We highlight these rankings to inspire action," Professor John O’Halloran MRIA, President of UCC, states. "It is incumbent on universities to lead and inspire the change we want to see in the world. The way we operate has changed significantly over the years and the passion of our students, staff and communities has driven that change."
Professor Brian Ó Gallachóir, Associate Vice-President of Sustainability at UCC, added: "We are very proud to be ranked as the second most sustainable university in the world, particularly at a time when global leadership in sustainability is needed more than ever. The research in our Sustainability Institute informs how we practice sustainability within UCC, but also advances sustainability externally through the impact our research achieves in informing policy, supporting business and empowering communities."
University College Cork (UCC), which offers dedicated sustainability transition training and education through UCC Sustainability Academy, is aiming to become a zero-waste campus by 2030 and a carbon neutral campus by 2040.